Print your name, address, and Social Security Number at the top of the form.
Double check the spelling of your name and your SSN.Your refund may be delayed if your name or SSN does not match your Social Security records, or if you make a mistake in your address.
Line 1: Wages
Gather all your W-2 statements from each job you worked during the year.Look in Box 1 of the W2. This is your total wages. Using a calculator, add up the Box 1 amounts from every W2 you have.
Put the total figure on Line 1.
Line 2: Interest
Gather all your 1099-INT statements from each bank that reported your interest earnings for the year.Using a calculator, add up all the interest amounts from every 1099-INT.
Put the total figure on Line 2.
Line 3: Unemployment and Alaska Permanent Fund Dividends
Gather all your 1099-G statement from the state agency that paid you unemployment compensation.Put the figure from the 1099-G on Line 3.
If you received Alaska Permanent Fund dividends, put the figure reported to you by the State of Alaska on Line 3.
If you have both unemployment and Alaskan dividends, add the two figures together and put the total on Line 3.
Line 4: Adjusted Gross Income
- Using a calculator, add the figures on Lines 1, 2, and 3 of your 1040-EZ.
Put the total figure on Line 4.
This figure is your Adjusted Gross Income. AGI is used to figure your Earned Income Credit and your tax. This figure is also a widely used measurement of your income for the year by banks and other financial institutions. If a lender wants to know your adjusted gross income, you'll know to look for it on Line 4 of Form 1040-EZ.
Line 5: Personal Exemptions & Standard Deduction
Can your parents, or someone else, claim you as a dependent? Basically, you may be a dependent if you do not pay for more than half of your living expenses. If you're not sure, ask your parents or guardians if they will be claiming you as a dependent on their tax return.If you are being claimed as a dependent, check the appropriate box or boxes on Line 5. Use the worksheet on page 2 of the 1040EZ form to calculate the amount to use on line 5.
If you are not being claimed as a dependent, leave the check the boxes on Line 5 unchecked. If you are single (unmarried), put the figure $8,750 on Line 5. If you are married, put the figure $17,500 on Line 5.
This figure ($8,750 for single people, and $17,500 for married people) is the combination of your Standard Deduction and your Personal Exemptions. On the other tax forms (1040A and 1040), these two amounts are listed separately.
Together, this figure represents the amount of income which is tax-free. You only pay tax on the income over this amount.
If you earn less than $8,750 (single) or $17,500 (married), your income is completely tax-free. You should still file a tax return, because you probably will have a refund from any tax that was withheld on your paycheck. You may also qualify for the Earned Income Credit. You will need to file a tax return to let the IRS know they should issue you a refund check.
Line 6: Taxable Income
Using a calculator, enter the figure from Line 4 (your Adjusted Gross Income), and then subtract the figure from Line 5 (your Standard Deduction and Personal Exemption).Put the result on Line 6. This is your taxable income.
This figure will be used to calculate your tax.
Line 7: Federal Income Tax Withheld
Go back to your W-2 statements. Look at Box 2. This is the amount of income tax that was withheld from your paychecks and sent to the IRS on your behalf.Using a calculator, add up the Box 2 amounts from every W-2 you have.
Put the total figure on Line 7.
